Woman who allegedly tried to kidnap children makes court appearance

Terryette Woods, the woman who police say tried to kidnap two girls from the Salt Lake Main Library last month, had an initial appearance in court Monday.

Woods, 51, is charged with two counts of child kidnapping, a first-degree felony.

Third District Judge Tyrone Medley found Woods indigent and appointed the Salt Lake Legal Defenders to represent her.

Woods grabbed the wrists of two girls, ages 8 and 5, at the library on June 20 and told them, "You're coming with me," according to court documents. The girls told police that Woods tried to drag them toward the door, but when one girl started screaming, a security guard appeared and Woods took off and left the library.

Woods was found only a short time later walking near the TRAX station by another security guard, but he thought this might have been a man dressed in drag.

After looking at a surveillance video from the library, another security guard recognized Woods as someone who hung around there often. Police located her and arrested her.

Woods is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on $250,000 bail. Her next court date is July 10 before 3rd District Judge Robert Hilder.